The youth organization Kitzikan was introduced on 31 January. Dozens of people gathered at the gaztetxe of Bergara (Gipuzkoa). Among the individuals and groups invited were the LAB union, Euskal Herriko Bilgune Feminist, the feminist group Medeak and Ernai. They're called young, but they don't look at age, what they want to highlight is the youth spirit. This is a project being worked on in Araba, Bizkaia and Gipuzkoa. They have been organized by districts and the groups have been formed in Donostia-San Sebastian, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Bilbao, Left Margin and Uribe-Kosta, among other places. The Regional Boards will act autonomously above the overall structure.

1969 in memory

They say they want to reclaim the roots of the beginning of the sexual liberation movement. The beginning was in 1969, in New York (USA), during the disturbances that have occurred in the famous Stonewall bar. Sex workers, transsexuals, transvestites and homosexuals faced the police, and the revolt lasted several days.

According to some, that explosion did not last long. In the 1980s, there was a rupture in the sexual liberation movement and the queer movement was unleashed. This thinking goes beyond LGBT ideology, encompassing sexual minorities that go beyond heterosexuality, heteronormativity and the woman-man binomial. According to the Queer discourse, the spirit of 1969 was lost and the heterosexual model was devoured. Kitzikan does not consider himself a queer movement, has not taken any denomination, but it is located very close to that movement.

According to Ekaitz Herrero, a member of Kitzikan, in recent years there have been other events to take into account: “The economic crisis began in 2006; the sexual liberation movement was trying to resettle; and local problems have arisen in Ukraine as a result of the Arab Spring in Turkey, etc.” Herrero has overseen the movement generated internationally in recent years: The Kaos GL of Russia and Ukraine, the queer movement for racism in the United States. The US, the intifada queer in Turkey, also in Palestine ...

In this context, Kitzika was born with the objective of recovering a radical political position against the heteropatriarchal system.
Asked whether in the
Basque Country there are movements like those Kitzikan wants to fill the gap, Herrero replied: “Taking into account the sociopolitical situation of Euskal Herria, the way of organizing and fighting, the critical conscience, there have been more movements than in many other places, and in them, also in sexual liberation, the ways of doing have been more coherent. At least in that principle yes.” Herrero represents the most radical, more political, less close to the centers of power movement in the Basque Country. EHGAM has set an example. He believes that he is still quite close to those initial demands. However, he believes that after the boom, an aging or relaxation occurs, and that the movements are not strong and unable to fulfill their desires.

Should we celebrate Day Against Homophobia?

In 1990, the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from the International Classification of Diseases. Based on this decision, the International Day against Homophobia was prepared. It was first held on 17 May 2005. In his view, it is not necessary to celebrate the fact that global organizations have removed homosexuality from the list of mental illnesses. Herrero has questioned him that the same people who organize May 17 do not question that transsexuality is on the same list: “Transsexuality questions the regime of heterosexuality, not only are men and women, but a third person is claimed.” If so, they will take advantage of the Day Against Homophobia to remember that there are still many stocks and practices that are considered diseases.

On 28 June yes

The LGBT movement (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) confirms June 28 as Sexual Liberation Day. For the Kitzikan member, this day is very important for the movement: On 28 June 1969, before the heteropatriarchal system, on that occasion, before the police, they decided not to submit. Mr Herrero added that unfortunately it was also possible to depoliticise that day, and that it has become a showcase full of bars and businesses. But not in the Basque Country. This is still a day of struggle and reclaiming. n